Under Labour, the council had declared a climate emergency in 2019

Wakefield Council looks set to ‘abandon’ its target to become a carbon neutral authority by 2030 and cut its climate change budget by £170,000.

A report to senior councillors said the decision may have “workforce implications” which would “be subject to formal trade union consultation.”

The council’s new Reform UK-led administration last month voted in favour of overturning climate change and biodiversity declarations which were made when the authority was under Labour control.

Reform took control of the council from Labour by winning 58 out of 63 seats at the local elections in May.

Under Labour, the council declared a climate emergency in 2019, pledging to become a carbon neutral authority by 2030 and a net zero district by 2038.

The council’s cabinet members are expected to vote in favour of a recommendation to “agree a practical approach to end some of this council’s climate-related activity” at a meeting on July 21.

A report said: “This is not about denying the science behind climate change, but focusing the work of the council on action that can be delivered and will benefit our residents.

“To implement that resolution, the council will be formally abandoning the unachievable targets for the council to be net zero by 2030 and for the district to be net zero by 2038.

“Targets and emergency declarations are not needed in order to take focused action.”

The document said the council would also unpublish its climate change action plan and scrap the role of “climate change elected member champion”.

Other proposals include withdrawing from the Wakefield Net Zero Partnership and ending its support for the organisation, which connects local organisations, businesses, and community groups to share sustainability best practices.

The document said the council would also withdraw from the Yorkshire and Humber Climate Commission’s climate action pledge, a public commitment for businesses and organisations to act on the climate and ecological emergency.

The council’s climate change newsletter and associated social media channels look set to be “retired” under the changes.

According to the report, the council’s remaining revenue budget for the current financial year (2026/27) is around £170,000.

It said: “Subject to the council’s organisational change processes, cabinet is asked to agree to re-purpose this spending to contribute to the 2027-28 budget setting process.

“This proposal may have workforce implications, which would be subject to formal consultation in line with the council’s HR (human resources) policies and procedures.”

The report said the council’s new leader, Karl Johnson, had instead set out a “practical approach” which would “focus Wakefield’s efforts where they can make the biggest impact for our residents.”

Planned changes include making the council’s property portfolio, which contains more than 1,600 assets including civic buildings, offices and commercial property, more efficient

The report said: “The estate is currently larger than required, leading to high costs for utilities, repairs, and maintaining ageing, inefficient systems.”

Further improvements include upgrading the council’s ageing fleet of vehicles, 72% of which are “beyond their economic life”.

The report said: “This is driving increased workshop demand, rising repair and maintenance costs, and greater reliance on hired vehicles to maintain service continuity.”

Other plans include continuing to deliver programmes to support residents and businesses in the district to become more energy efficient, as well as improving recycling rates and maintaining over 600 green spaces across the district.

The report said: “There are currently no net zero statutory targets for local government in the UK.

“However, local authorities have an essential part to play in decarbonising local transport, social housing and waste because of their powers and responsibilities in these sectors.

“Local government decides how best to serve communities and is best placed to integrate activity on the ground so that action on climate change also delivers wider benefits – for fuel poor households, for the local economy, for the environment and biodiversity, as well as the provision of green jobs and skills.”